In February 1941, the Japanese
company Nakajima started studying a new embarked seaplane derived
from the fuselage of the A6M2 Model 11 (Zero). Motorized by a
Nakajima NK1C Skae 32 engine of 940 hp. It was commissioned in 1942.
The Rufe was used over the Pacific Ocean for reconnaissance and
training misions. The French Navy example was found at Singapour in
September 1945, by British troops. After evaluation by the "ATAIU",
it was delivered in March 1946 at Biên Hoa, close to
Saïgon. It was affected to the 8S squadron, until it crashed on
September 19th 1946 at Rach Ba Sang close to the AORL Jules Verne. A
total of 327 A6M2-Ns had been built at Koizumi by Nakjima Hikoki K.
K. between December 1941 and September 1943.